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Prevent the spread of respiratory and stomach viruses

As winter illnesses rise, prioritize your health and well-being with simple steps that protect you, your classmates, and campus community.

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Dear Slugs,

We hope winter quarter is treating you well! As we begin week three, we want to take a moment to encourage you to prioritize your health and well-being. Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV are more active, and stomach illnesses like norovirus are on the rise. Staying healthy means more time for your classes, friends, and the things you love. Here are some ways to take care of yourself and those around you:

Wash Your Hands

  • Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent illness. Hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus!

Be Mindful of Others

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
  • If you’re feeling under the weather, consider wearing a mask to help protect others.

Rest & Recover If You’re Sick

  • If you’re not feeling well, the best thing you can do for yourself and others is to stay home and rest. Taking time to recover can help you feel better faster while also preventing the spread of illness to classmates and friends.
  • If you need meals while recovering, check out the UCSC Dining Buddy Meal Program for support.

Reach out for help

Stay Up to Date on Vaccines

  • It’s not too late to get vaccinated against flu or COVID-19—vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself and our community.

Your well-being is important, and we’re here to support you. Take care of yourself and each other, and we hope the rest of your quarter is filled with good health and great memories!

In community,

John Bollard
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Wellness and Chief Well-being Officer

Dr. Karen Wang
Campus Medical Director

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Last modified: Jan 20, 2026